Tumor Targeted Nanobins for the Treatment of Metastatic Breast and Ovarian Cancer
Northwestern University

Principal Investigators: Thomas O'Halloran, Ph.D., and Vincent Cryns, M.D.

Project Summary

Dr. O'Halloran's group recently developed nanoparticulate forms of anticancer drugs that are encapsulated in lipid and polymeric agents. These nanobins have been shown to have greater efficacy in safely delivering potent, frontline anticancer drugs, such as arsenic trioxide, to tumors than the unencapsulated form of the parent drugs. The established efficacy and high therapeutic index of this nanotechnology platform arises from both passive Enhanced Permeability and Retention (EPR)-based and epitope-based molecular targeting strategies. Currently, a research team led by Drs. O'Halloran and Cryns is developing new nanobin agents that combine other potent anticancer drugs, such as cisplatin, with surface-tethered antibodies that target tumor specific epitopes. The proposed agents will be also able to deliver multiple sensitizing and cytotoxic agents to solid tumors. These agents will be screened in an experimental matrix that includes quantitative milestones and evaluation of nanobins in several orthotopic animal models of breast and ovarian cancers.

Project Goal

The goal of this project is to develop a translational pipeline of nanoparticle-based anticancer drugs for the treatment of rare and difficult to treat cancers such as ovarian and metastatic breast cancers.